As women enter their 40s, their style preferences often mature, seeking both sophistication and ease. For those with thick hair, finding the right hairstyle that balances elegance and manageability can feel daunting. Fortunately, there are a variety of hairstyles tailored to the unique volume and texture of thick tresses that not only flatter your natural beauty but also suit your busy lifestyle. In this article, we explore 15 pretty hairstyles for thick hair for women over 40, offering both timeless and trendsetting options to refresh your look and potentially simplify your daily routine. Whether you’re looking for a drastic change or a subtle update, these styles are designed to inspire and empower you to embrace your hair’s vivacious volume.
#1: Polished Chestnut Layered Transformation
This side-by-side showcases a beautiful transition from unstyled to elegantly layered medium-length hair perfect for thick textures. Initially, her thick hair displayed undefined, frizzy character typical of untreated thick hair. The after-image reveals a dynamic chestnut hue with seamless layers, introducing movement and reducing bulk. This cut smartly frames the face and is particularly flattering for oval and round shapes, enhancing natural beauty without overwhelming features. While maintaining this style requires some effort, including regular conditioning and occasional professional shaping, its adaptability and fresh appearance make it a worthwhile choice for women over 40 looking to revitalize their look.
#2 Rich Auburn Waves with Soft Layers
This style showcases rich auburn waves, tailored to enhance the natural density of thick hair while providing movement. The soft layers are cut to frame the face beautifully, making it a fantastic choice for women over 40 looking to enliven their look without drastic changes. The mid-length cut balances ease of maintenance with enough length to style in various ways. While this color depth adds warmth to the complexion, frequent salon visits might be necessary to preserve the vibrancy of the auburn shade. Ideal for those with a round or oval face, this hairstyle offers a rejuvenating lift and voluminous feel.
#3 Sleek Chestnut Bob with Straight Bangs
This sleek bob features a rich chestnut hue paired with meticulously cut straight bangs, offering a contemporary look that complements an oval face beautifully. The haircut is medium-length, falling just above the shoulders, which makes it manageable while still providing enough length for various styling. This style works best on fine to medium hair, providing volume and shape. This minimalist yet elegant cut is versatile, ideal for professional settings and casual outings. However, one might find it requires regular salon visits to maintain the bangs and overall shape, and styling might need daily attention to keep those edges sharp.
#4 Golden Caramel Waves with Subtle Layers
This Golden Caramel Waves haircut is perfect for women over 40 looking to highlight their features without excessive maintenance. The layers are subtly cut to enhance natural volume and movement, ideal for thick hair. The medium-length makes it versatile for various occasions, whether styled casually or dressed up. The warm caramel tones add a youthful glow, enhancing the skin’s natural warmth. However, one must consider the upkeep of color to avoid brassiness. Regular glossing treatments could be advisable to maintain vibrancy and depth.
#5 Playful Espresso Tousled Bob
This tousled bob is absolutely charming, with its playful waves and rich espresso hue. It’s great for ladies over 40 who have medium to thick hair density. The cut features light layering that adds volume and makes the hair seem more buoyant, especially around the face which brightens your overall appearance. It’s a low-maintenance option that still looks styled and put-together. The color brings warmth to the skin, perfect for those looking to enhance natural tones. However, keep in mind that wavy styles like this might need a bit of product to hold the look throughout the day. Ideal for a quick morning routine!
#6 Windswept Tawny Bob with Defined Waves
This bob is great if you’re after something chic yet low-maintenance. It’s cut just above the shoulders with a slight asymmetry that frames the face beautifully, particularly flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces. The tawny color blends darker roots with lighter ends, providing depth and making regrowth less noticeable. Ideal for medium to thick hair, the textured waves add volume and movement, catching the eye with every turn. While it’s stylish and manageable, keep in mind that the waves might require some styling product to hold throughout the day.
#7 Deep Chocolate Cascading Waves
This shoulder-length style boasts luscious cascading waves, giving a fresh look to thick hair. Great for women over 40, the deep chocolate hue adds depth while the waves soften the face. The layered cut not only reduces weight but enhances natural volume, making it a low-maintenance yet fashionable choice. However, it might require regular styling to maintain the wave’s definition. Perfect for oval and heart-shaped faces, this haircut frames the features gracefully, adding a touch of youthful elegance.
#8 Chestnut-Brown Lob with Subtle Face-Framing Layers
This elegant chestnut-brown lob features subtle face-framing layers that enhance your natural beauty without overwhelming the face—ideal for women over 40 looking to refine their look with a touch of grace. The length is perfect if you’re seeking versatility, sitting just a few inches below the shoulders, which works beautifully on medium to thick hair. The strategic layers lighten the weight of the hair, making it a great choice for those with denser textures. The color adds depth and a youthful flush. However, remember, darker shades may require more maintenance to keep them looking vivid and fresh. This style superbly balances simplicity with flair and frames the face softly, providing a youthful yet mature aesthetic that’s both professional and flirty.
#9 Chic Chestnut Waves with Bangs
This hairstyle is ideal for adding volume and movement to thick hair, which often feels heavy. The layers are cut to lighten the weight, giving the waves a bouncy effect. The eyebrow-skimming bangs frame the face beautifully, drawing attention to the eyes and balancing the features. While stunning, the style does require regular maintenance to keep the bangs in shape and the layers defined. It’s a perfect match for those ready to commit to styling sessions, offering a fresh and youthful appearance without going too short.
#10 Sunkissed-Beige Wavy Bob with Textured Fringe
This lovely sunkissed-beige bob is tailored for women over 40 with its natural-looking waves and subtle fringe. The layered cut adds volume, making it ideal for those with medium to thick hair density. The textured fringe softly frames the face, accentuating the cheekbones and eyes, providing a youthful flair. The hair color adds an extra layer of depth, enhancing the natural grays subtly blending in. Its easy maintenance is a plus, though the color might require occasional touch-ups to keep the beige tones vibrant.
#11 Vibrant Copper Layered Bob for Mature Skin Tones
This confident copper bob is cut to chin-length with soft layering that frames the face beautifully, ideal for highlighting mature skin tones and attracting light to brighten the complexion. The layered texture offers a lively, youthful feel, while the natural volume of the style supports thinner hair types without overwhelming the face. Wispy ends give it a modern touch and the copper shade brings warmth that’s perfect for women over 40 looking to enhance natural skin radiance. On the downside, the color may require regular salon visits to maintain its vibrant hue and manage the regrowth visibility, particularly if you’re transitioning from a significantly different base color. Opting for this style means committing to a bit of upkeep, but the payoff in elegance and vibrancy is worth it.
#12 Mid-Length Brunette Waves with Subtle Highlights
This style, featuring gentle waves and a rich brunette tone accented with subtle highlights, is ideal for women over 40 seeking a fresh look that doesn’t require daily styling. The mid-length cut is versatile, flattering oval and heart-shaped faces, and brings out the eyes. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a manageable style that still has volume and texture. The lightweight layering helps maintain hair’s natural density without feeling heavy. This cut and color enhance natural grays subtly, making it a low-maintenance choice for those transitioning to gray.
#13 Elegant Raven-Black Bob with Wispy Bangs
This bob cut is perfect for women over 40 with thick hair looking for a chic, manageable style. The haircut features a clean, chin-length bob with subtly textured ends that soften the overall look. What makes this style stand out are the wispy bangs that lightly curtain the forehead, adding a youthful touch without overwhelming the face. This choice is beneficial for accentuating eyes and balancing wider face shapes. The deep black color adds a striking contrast, enhancing the skin’s natural glow. However, keep in mind, dark colors like this might require more frequent touch-ups to maintain the depth, especially if you have gray hair coming through. This style is low-maintenance yet fashionable, and works brilliantly to thicken the look of your hair while providing a fresh, polished appearance.
#14 Sleek Espresso-Tinted Bob with Feathered Ends
This hairstyle features a medium-length bob tailored gracefully around the face with feathered ends, providing a refined yet manageable look. The deep espresso shade enriches the overall appearance, making it a stunning choice for those with a fair to medium complexion. Perfect for women over 40, this style balances elegance with ease of maintenance. However, keep in mind that bobs might require regular styling to maintain their shape. Opt for a satin pillowcase to prevent frizz and maintain the sleekness overnight.
#15 Brunette Tousled Waves with Glossy Finish
This style features shoulder-length brunette hair with a soft, tousled wave that adds versatility and movement. Ideal for women over 40 with medium to thick hair density, as the layering can remove bulk while elevating natural volume. The rich mocha shade enhances the glossy finish, making it a flattering option for various skin tones. One downside? Wavy styles require some maintenance to keep them looking fresh and vibrant—think lightweight products and occasional touch-ups with a curling wand to recreate the defined texture seen here.
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